By late 1967, the band had felt constricted financially & creatively by manager Don Arden (father of Sharon Osbourne), and were lured by Rolling Stones' publicist Andrew Loog Oldham into signing with his new Immediate label. They soon recorded more expansive psychedelic sounding material including hit pop tunes like "Lazy Sunday" which was included with their UK number one classic concept album Ogdens Nut Gone Flake and "Itchycoo Park" which was their only stateside charting single.
The demise of the Small Faces arrived on New Years Eve 1968, when Steve Marriott walked off stage at The Alexandra Palace in London. Marriott felt that despite the success of the group, he was still not being taken seriously as a musician. He went on to achieve major status in the U.S.A with Peter Frampton in Humble Pie. The others continued as the Faces, opting to drop the "Small" after one LP as new recruits Rod Stewart and Ronnie Wood towered above their new band mates. Drummer Kenney Jones later joined The Who after the death of their drummer Keith Moon. As years went on, Marriott kept recording various lineups as Humble Pie but became somewhat of a caricature and casualty of rock excess. Tragically, Steve Marriott died in a house fire in 1991 and Ronnie Lane followed him in 1997 after a long battle with Multiple Sclerosis. Keyboardist Ian McLagan has continued to tour and record with his own band as well as with artists like Billy Bragg, The New Barbarians ( a group composed of Ian, Ron Wood, Keith Richards, Stanley Clarke, and Billy Cobham), and The Rolling Stones. According to announcements at the shows on the New Barbarians tour, the proceeds of the live gigs were going to pay Ronnie Lane's medical expenses associated with Ronnie's struggle with Multiple Sclerosis.
The Small Faces remain one of British rock's most important legacy acts, with their membership having links to so many other acts. Amongst the many bands they influenced were The Jam, Ramones, Oasis and X.
There are a number of locations around London linked to the Small Faces, many to be found in the East End where they grew up.
The J60 Music bar in Manor Park, an instrument shop where Steve Marriott first met Ronnie Lane
http://www.musicpilgrimages.com/articl/4012.php
Little Ilford park, also located in Manor Park, inspired the track Itchycoo Park, Steve and other kids in the East End used to play in this park when they grew up.
http://www.musicpilgrimages.com/articl/4002.php
In 1968 the Small Faces recorded a video for their track Lazy Sunday, Steve sings in his native East end accent and the video was shot in the East End using Kenney Jones parents' flat in Havering Street. The video ends with a shot of the nearby Thames.
http://www.musicpilgrimages.com/articl/4014.php
Red Balloon
Small Faces Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Cause hidden in the read balloon was a peny for my eyes
She took her lovelight from my eyes
Oh blue surprise
She took her lovelight from my eyes
Blue surprise
Haven't any time for children although I've got a lot, hey
She took her lovelight from my eyes
Oh blue surprise
She took her lovelight from my eyes
Blue surprise
Blue surprise, yeah
She took her lovelight from my eyes
Oh blue surprise
She took her lovelight from my eyes
Blue surprise
Yeah, blue surprise
Blue surprise, yeah
Blue surprise
Blue surprise
Vishnu's eyes
Loving eyes
Blue surprise
Blue surprise
Vishnu's eyes
Loving eyes
"Red Balloon" by Small Faces is a song about the singer's longing for his lost youth and innocence. The opening lines describe how the singer bought himself a red balloon and a blue surprise, with the penny hidden in the balloon. The balloon is symbolic of the singer's childhood, a time of wonder and joy where a simple toy like a balloon can bring immense happiness. The blue surprise, on the other hand, represents the singer's transition to adulthood, with all its complexities and responsibilities. The penny hidden in the balloon could also represent the value of that childhood innocence that the singer is trying to recapture.
The second verse continues this theme, with the singer reminiscing about the time he spent playing with children's toys as a child. However, he acknowledges that he no longer has time for such childish things now that he is an adult. The chorus repeats the line "She took her lovelight from my eyes" which refers to the emotional toll of growing up and losing that youthful sense of wonder. The blue surprise is no longer a source of happiness for the singer but a reminder of the love and light that seems to have been extinguished.
The final verse includes the repetition of "Blue surprise" with the addition of "Vishnu's eyes" and "Loving eyes." Vishnu is a Hindu god who is often associated with the cycle of birth and rebirth. This suggests that the singer may be seeking to start anew - to regain that lost sense of innocence and wonder through rebirth. The repetition of "Loving eyes" could also refer to the singer's longing for the love and affection that was present during his childhood.
Overall, "Red Balloon" is a poignant reminder of the fleeting nature of childhood and the difficulties of growing up. The song is both nostalgic and melancholic, capturing the bittersweet feeling of looking back on happier times.
Line by Line Meaning
Bought myself a red balloon and a blue surprise
I purchased a red balloon and a surprise that is blue in color.
Cause hidden in the red balloon was a penny for my eyes
The red balloon contained a penny as a surprise for me.
She took her lovelight from my eyes, Oh blue surprise
A woman took the love and admiration I had for her, and it came as a surprise.
Played with toys for children as a child I got, Haven't any time for children although I've got a lot, hey
Although I had many toys growing up, now as an adult, I don't have time for children despite having the means to raise them.
Blue surprise, yeah
The blue surprise is unexpected.
She took her lovelight from my eyes, Blue surprise
Again, a woman took the affection I had for her, and it was surprising.
Yeah, blue surprise, Blue surprise, yeah
The blue surprise is repeatedly described as unexpected.
Blue surprise, Blue surprise, Vishnu's eyes, Loving eyes
The blue surprise is linked to the Hindu deity Vishnu and is associated with love and compassion.
Contributed by Mila I. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@louisajohnkrol345
Belatedly fallen in love with The Small Faces. Hubby praised their music to me 30 years ago and I'd heard their songs since childhood here in Australia, always liked it but it slipped under the radar somehow. By the time I was a teen, their fame was eclipsed by a glam chap from their later incarnation. Ah, but they finally caught up with me. Something clicked the other day, and it wasn't just a knee. These lads aren't merely likeable. They're brilliant. Their charisma is more subtle than that of so many who dominated the next decade. Apparently their record label ripped them off. And now I keep noticing how bands that came later carried their influence in chordal progressions, vocals, or mood shifts from dreamy psychedelia to full-on rock shattering choruses. They gave so much to the music industry. To all of them, their loved ones and those who love them, thank you with all my heart.
@duncanbirss8923
It's never too late to discover their genius!
@dboulos7
Yeah Louisa, my sentiments exactly - I'm a late bloomer to these guys, and in retrospect, I just can't believe how innovative and progressive that they were - I have no idea how they eluded me for so long, especially Steve Marriot - just a phenomenon himself, throughout his entire career!
@darrylmcgarry5780
Strap in as you go on an adventure exploring their songs and music. To Itchycoo Park on a Lazy Sunday Afternoon.... All Or Nothing.... Steven Marriott's voice can also be heard on Good Times by The Easybeats!
@mzsEmma
You said it Louisa! What a great band they were. Their musicality still gets me.
@dellafenton2417
@Darryl McGarry Also on Traffic's Berkshire Poppies...
@desy2478
I once read an article entitled 'The most perfect band Britain ever made' and it sums them up really. From folk, folk rock, soul, pop, blues, mind blowing intrumental tracks, heavy rock, psychedelia they had it all and I just love them.
@roberttompkins6489
God how could they have been so good so young and newly formed as a band? This song should have been a worldwide hit. I only wish they had had better management. Those of us in the States really had little to no exposure to the breadth and quality of their work and have only discovered it because of the internet.
@radomirratkovic4407
You can hear the framework in their songs for everything later on Zeppelin did
@sandypompilii6901
@Radomir Ratkovic Absolutely! I never really was a fan of Led Zeppelin. I liked Rod Stewart, but I really can't even listen to them anymore. All I can think of is how much they imitated Steve Marriott. Steve Marriott was just hands down, the best. Gone far too soon, but I'm sure he's rockin the heavens.